
After 15 minutes of waiting, I was directed in to one of the 4 exam rooms. There was one other patient there, a lady from the US. The dentist spoke English very well and quickly looked at my teeth. He recommended a crown for the broken tooth but also said I had a cavity in another tooth. I asked him how long it would take to fill it and how much. 20 minutes and $60 later and my tooth had a new filling.

For a crown I will need to go back 2 more times. I could have stayed there and let them take impressions of my teeth. He said he could have the crown ready by Monday. The cost is $140 per visit, that's $280 total.
If I didn't have dental insurance then I would get the crown done in Mexico. $280 is a whole lot cheaper than $1,100. But since I do have dental insurance right now I am going to get it done in the states for $580 (after insurance). I decided that for 2 reasons. One, the convenience factor. It takes multiple trips and the dentist in the US is only 15 minutes from my house. If I need the tooth sanded down or adjusted in some way the dentist is right here. Two, I am assuming that the Mexico dentist gets his crowns the old-fashioned way from someone who makes them by hand. The US dentist uses the latest state of the art Cad-Cam machining process. I don't know which one lasts longer but since I have insurance and the means to pay for the latest technology right now, I will buy it.
I am glad I did this little exercise in comparison shopping. I probably won't have dental insurance forever and it is good to know that I have other options.
6 comments:
Sounds like a good choice. $300 bought you a lot of convenience and future peace of mind regarding any adjustments/proper fit.
Oh, and 4 AM?! Did you at least get to take a siesta?
No siesta...Mt. Dew for breakfast!
I think it is fabulous you went to Mexico to comparison shop on dental work! I had an implant done a year or so ago. It cost almost $10,000 (including all visits, x-rays, crown, etc.)...I wonder what it may have cost in Mexico. I am lucky that I found a job halfway through the proceudre with a better dental plan to alleviate some of my costs.
Laura, $10,000??? Wow. I heard they cost $3,000 in the US and $700 in Mexico.
I wonder how much you have saved with the $60 filling.
My dentist said $100-$200 for a filling. I'd guess $200 and my insurance would pay 50%.
Post a Comment